HCR1002 is a proposed Colorado constitutional amendment that would be submitted to voters at the 2026 general election. It would add a new qualification for state representatives and senators: a person could not serve a term that immediately follows a term for which they were appointed to fill a vacancy in the General Assembly for that office. In practical terms, the measure would prevent an appointee who fills a legislative vacancy from immediately turning that temporary appointment into the next full term in office.
The resolution does not change statutory law directly; instead, it seeks to amend Article V, Section 4 of the Colorado Constitution. If approved by at least 55% of voters, the amendment would become part of the state constitution and would govern eligibility for legislative office going forward. The ballot title and submission language are included in the resolution, and the Secretary of State would place the question before voters in 2026.
Impact
If adopted, the measure would alter constitutional qualifications for members of the Colorado House and Senate by adding a restriction on succession after a vacancy appointment. It would affect appointed legislators, potential candidates seeking election after serving by appointment, election officials administering candidate eligibility, and the General Assembly’s vacancy-filling process. Because the proposal is constitutional rather than statutory, it would supersede any conflicting state law or practice regarding eligibility for the immediately following term.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests mixed to negative sentiment in committee. The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee first voted 5-6 against advancing the resolution, then used a reverse roll call to postpone it indefinitely by a 6-5 vote. That pattern indicates the proposal had some support but not enough to move forward, and the committee ultimately chose not to send it to the full House. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed public arguments, but the close votes indicate the issue was contested.
Contention
The main point of contention is whether a person appointed to fill a legislative vacancy should be allowed to run immediately for the next term in that same office. Supporters likely view the proposal as a way to limit the advantage of incumbency gained through appointment and to ensure elected legislators are chosen directly by voters rather than elevated from appointment into a full term. Opponents appear to have been concerned enough to block advancement in committee, likely because the measure would restrict voter choice, create an additional eligibility barrier, and treat appointed legislators differently from others seeking election.